Swikly Review: Online Security Deposit Platform for Vacation Rentals (2026)

Security deposits are one of the most outdated processes in short-term rentals. Cheques get lost, cash creates disputes, and card imprints are a security risk. Swikly solves this with a simple online pre-authorisation system that is better for hosts and guests alike.

The concept is straightforward: instead of collecting a deposit, you send the guest a secure Swikly link. They enter their card details, and Swikly places a pre-authorisation hold for the deposit amount. The hold does not reduce the guest's available credit — unlike a traditional hotel pre-auth — so their spending power is unaffected.

How It Works

When a booking is confirmed, Swikly automatically sends the guest a secure link via email or SMS. The guest clicks the link, enters their card details on Swikly's PCI-compliant form, and the pre-authorisation is created. If no damage occurs, the authorisation expires automatically after the stay. If there is damage, the host submits a claim through Swikly's dashboard with photo evidence, and the claim is processed against the authorisation.

The entire process is paperless and automated. For PMS-integrated setups, the deposit request is triggered automatically upon booking confirmation, and the release happens automatically at checkout.

PMS Integrations

Swikly integrates with Guesty, Lodgify, Hostaway, Smoobu, Beds24, Avantio, Hostify, Icnea, and other major PMS platforms. Integration depth allows for automatic deposit requests based on reservation status, and automatic release of authorisations after checkout.

For property managers using a supported PMS, the setup is minimal — enable the integration and configure your deposit rules. Swikly handles the guest communication and payment processing.

Guest Experience

For guests, the experience is far better than traditional deposits. No cheque to mail, no cash to withdraw, no card imprint on paper. The pre-authorisation does not affect their credit card limit, and the hold releases automatically if there are no claims. Swikly reports 4.7/5 stars on Trustpilot from over 8,800 reviews.

Pricing

Swikly offers a 30-day free trial with the first 3 deposits free. Paid plans are subscription-based with volume pricing. For the premium plan, Swikly includes an insurance guarantee that covers the deposit amount if the guest defaults on payment — effectively eliminating the risk of unrecoverable damage claims.

Who Should Use Swikly

Swikly is suitable for any host or property manager who currently collects security deposits. It is especially valuable for managers with high booking volumes where manual deposit handling is a significant time drain. The PMS integration means minimal ongoing effort once configured.

Final Verdict

Swikly is a well-executed solution to an outdated problem. The guest experience is excellent, the PMS integrations work well, and the insurance-backed premium plan removes the risk of non-payment. For hosts still dealing with paper cheques or cash deposits, Swikly is a significant upgrade.